Reaseheath College’s equine students made an impression at the 2024 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), helping to celebrate the event’s 75th anniversary and gaining valuable experience for their careers.
Reaseheath College equine students were riding high after winning a hotly contested inter college team competition. Katie Gibbins, Lucy Lloyd-Brown, Nieve Dillon, Lucy Lunt-Bell, Emily Hassell and Cerys Calcutt, who are studying for their Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management at the Nantwich college, competed against teams from four other leading land-based colleges.
Equine undergraduates and Level 3 Diploma students attended the prestigious finale of the British flat racing season at Ascot Racecourse.
Reaseheath’s equine department is delighted to be supporting the #NotOnMyYard anti-bullying campaign.
Renowned Horse Behaviourist Richard Maxwell gave audiences at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre a fascinating insight into his training methods and philosophies.
Richard, who is a qualified Masterson Method Practitioner, combines a unique blend of natural and traditional horsemanship in order to help horses and their owners. His many clients hail from all equestrian disciplines and include international event rider Sharon Hunt and dressage star Matt Frost.
Richard began his career as a riding instructor in the Household Cavalry where his own introduction to ‘natural horsemanship’ came through a chance meeting with the legendary Monty Roberts.
Said Richard: “In 1988, Monty came to the UK to give a demonstration for the Queen. I gleaned so much from his knowledge and found it interesting how you could take something from a different style of equitation, such as western or rodeo, and introduce this into ‘mainstream’ training.”
Richard’s holistic approach has also been inspired by experts in the field of equine physiology such as Andy Andrews and Jim Masterson – founder of the ‘Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork’ system.
Richard explained: “Andy Andrews helped me to appreciate how physiological problems can contribute heavily to behavioural issues. On meeting Jim Masterson, I was able to put a few more pieces into the jigsaw puzzle and I now feel that I have a fuller picture. I can now help horses physiologically as well as through behavioural training.”
In front of a packed house, Richard worked with three very different types of horses ranging from a dressage horse with ‘stage-fright’ to a Welsh cob with loading problems.
Said Richard: “Any demo is only a snapshot and the answer to behavioural problems is never a quick fix. If I can get just one thing right that might help a horse, then the peripheral problems surrounding an issue may start to lessen.”
Read more about Richard’s demonstration here.
Last weekend, the inaugural British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) Symposium was held at Reaseheath College Equestrian Centre.
The schedule for the BYRDS Symposium, which was titled ‘Two Athletes – One Performance’, was packed-full of interactive presentations from a host of industry experts with topics ranging from sports science, rider psychology and training methods.
BSc (Hons) Equine Science Hannah Dickson – Outstanding Achievement in undergraduate research in Equine Science Award winner
The debate goes on but the message is clear: studying for an equine science degree hugely improves your career prospects.
This was the main topic of conversation when Reaseheath College in Cheshire partnered Horse & Hound, Britain’s most respected information source, in a recent on-line careers webchat.
Equine lecturers Kate Douglas-Dala and Jess Denham, both Advanced Practitioners at the college, were inundated with questions from young people planning their future careers and from others who are already employed but looking to progress or change careers.
Here are some examples of their advice:
Lots of employers say equine colleges are not preparing graduates adequately for work in the industry. Why should I bother to get an academic qualification?
FdSc Equine Science and Management graduates Rebecca Webb, Rebecca Wilkinson, Amy Cunningham, Dame Sarah Storey DBE and Kate Douglas-Dala (lecturer)
I’m a mature student thinking of changing career? Will I be able to cope with returning to learning?
Successful Foundation Degree in Equine Science, Complementary Therapy and Natural Horsemanship graduates celebrate with Course Manager Dawn Gale and Dame Sarah Storey
Do you favour candidates with a science background?
We’ve got a range of new degree programmes on offer, to find out more visit our Higher Education equine course pages.
Young people are being encouraged to ‘kick on’ into a racing career thanks to a new project which turns the spotlight onto Cheshire’s thriving horseracing industry.
‘Racing Through Education’ has been launched by Cheshire Racing Hub to promote the wide choice of attractive careers available in the industry to secondary school pupils, college students and veterinary undergraduates.
The initiative is being led by Cheshire West and Chester Council as part of its rural regeneration strategy, with support from partners Reaseheath College in Nantwich, the University of Liverpool and Chester Race Company.
Reaseheath College, a leader in equine education, is for the first time offering a bespoke racing module within its equine courses which has been taken up by over 40 students. The University of Liverpool, which has an international reputation for its equine veterinary and research specialisms, is encouraging future vets at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, Wirral, to look at opportunities within the industry while Chester Race Company operates Chester and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses, key venues for racegoers.
Local schools and colleges are being encouraged to promote horseracing as an exciting, but often unrecognised, career route which is available locally. The message coincides with national publicity about a critical staff shortage in the racing industry. Project co-ordinator is Sophie Keepax, a Reaseheath Higher Education equine course manager and lecturer.
Cheshire Racing Hub was formed in 2013 to promote horseracing as a career among school and college students and to encourage the growth of equine businesses and investment in Cheshire. This followed research which identified horse racing as a key economic driver within the region.
After a break in funding, the partnership has received a second grant of £13,920 from the British Horseracing Grant Scheme to continue its work with young people through ‘Racing Through Education’. The project is part of the British Horseracing Authority’s ‘Racing Together’ scheme to promote careers in racing and to raise the profile of racing nationally within communities.
Speaking at the Malpas yard of point to point trainer Oliver Greenall, where the ‘Racing Though Education’ launch was held, Chair of Cheshire Racing Hub Kay Kent said: “Horse racing is growing in economic importance to Cheshire and we are delighted to receive this second grant to highlight the careers opportunities available to young people across the county, from both rural and urban backgrounds.
“It’s important that young people fully realise just how many rewarding jobs are available, not just riding and caring for racehorses but within the support industries such as farriery, veterinary services, equine dentistry and physiotherapy, nutrition and racing administration. We will be working with both local and national training providers involved with racing to ensure young people have all the information they need to take their first steps into a racing career.”
For further details on ‘Racing Through Education’ contact Sophie Keepax sophie@cheshireracinghub.co.uk
Picture caption: Racing Through Education’ launches with (l-r) Sue Griffith (Work Related Co-ordinator, Bishop Heber High School); Sophie Keepax (Project Co-Ordinator); Dr Jan Birch (Higher Education Programme Leader, Reaseheath College); Dr Ellen Singer (Senior Lecturer in Equine Orthopaedics, (University of Liverpool); Jeannie Chantler (General Manager, Bangor on Dee Racecourse); Oliver Greenall (Oliver Greenall Racing); Kay Kent (Chair of Cheshire Racing Hub); Sean O’Connor (Community Engagement Manager, Racing Together); Carrie Ford (Regional Education Officer, British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust); Ellie Morris ( Rural Regeneration Programme Manager, Cheshire West and Chester Council)
Ever wondered what it’s like to be an equine student at Reaseheath College?…
If you have any questions about life as an equine student, the industry, university or on-job training, we’re here to help. Join our live Horse and Hound web chat today 12pm-2pm. Reaseheath’s senior equine science lecturer Kate Douglas-Dala and Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care course manager, Jess Denham, will be ready to answer any questions you may have.
Find out more about our equine courses at: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/equine
If you’re waiting for your results and wondering whether a college course will get you that dream job with horses, check out our live careers webchat in association with the UK’s leading equestrian magazine, Horse and Hound, on Wednesday 12 August, 12 noon – 2pm. Catch up and take part here:
While you are waiting for the webchat why not check out our students as they provide the arena party at Bolesworth International:
Reaseheath’s senior equine science lecturer Kate Douglas-Dala, who has been involved in the development of Reaseheath’s degree programmes, and Jess Denham, who manages the college’s popular Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care, will be online to answer your questions on university, on-job training and life in the equestrian industry.
Both have extensive experience of working in the industry previous to joining Reaseheath. Kate, who lectures on horse nutrition, welfare and behaviour, was a veterinary nurse specialising in grass sickness cases at the Royal Dick Veterinary Hospital in Edinburgh. Jess was an equine yard supervisor at another college, responsible for the welfare and care of 40 horses as well as supporting students.
Kate has an MSc degree in Equine Science while Jess has a BSc (hons) degree in Equine Studies. Both hold a PGCE teaching qualification and are horse owners themselves.
For more details on our equine degrees and diplomas visit https://www.reaseheath.ac.uk/horseandhound or phone 01270 613242
About Reaseheath College
Recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialist colleges, Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire, works closely with industry bodies to ensure that the skills of its students match the demands of the world of work. This ensures a high rate of employment for equine graduates and opens up opportunities for young people, whose practical skills and knowledge are appreciated by employers.
Reaseheath has invested £50 million into cutting edge technology and world class facilities on campus, with a further £30 million planned over the next four years.
Our equine students tell us they most enjoy: